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Friday, August 03, 2012

The Writer's Struggle

What I see in my brain is not what ends up on the page. In my head, it's a beautiful movie, with lots of gorgeous scenery and sounds and smells. Transcribing that onto the page is an exercise in madness. Why? Because it will never be exactly as we see it in our head. That is impossible.

But isn't it neat to think that what we end up writing will be seen differently by each and every person that reads it? Each person will relate to your words differently because they will bring their experiences, their memories, and their reactions with them as they read.

Of course, in the end, it all boils down to one thing: you must write. Because if you don't write, then your words will not be read and experienced in a multitude of varying ways by a variety of people.

16 comments:

Yes, I know that struggle. You see it so clearly and are so sure you can put it down, but ...It's fascinating how we see things so differently when we read, which is why books are so much more enjoyable than watching movies. I do love a good movie, but there is very little need to use your imagination, therefore much less interaction.Your sentence: "Because if you don't write, then your words will not be read and experienced in a multitude of varying ways by a variety of people." is so encouraging and motivating, thank you!

Once I remember writing something I thought was on the serious side, and several readers commented on what a great piece of humor it was! You just never know how what you write will be interpreted, do you!

I haven't written much lately because of painting and I feel out of sorts! Hopefully I'll be back at it soon:)

Totally agree... That's the point I want to delete a project sometimes - when what I wrote just has no resemblance at all to what I imagine anymore. But you're right, everybody's going to imagine it differently again, so maybe it's all just okay anyway. :)

I love this; sometimes when I'm blathering dialogue, trying to verbally plot out a scene, I wish to express all those spoken nuances, yet that would make for cluttered dialogue. The reader's imagination fills in those blanks, and takes the rest of our prose to places we never dreamed.

WOW this is exactly what's been in my head the last few days too. Getting that gorgeous movie that's playing in my head down on paper... and being so discouraged with the 2d result. But at least it's down. It's in words. It can be improved. JUST WRITE!!! THank you.

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"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. " ~ Anton Chekhov

"Writing makes a person very vulnerable. It opens you to public criticism, to ridicule, to rejection. But it also opens conversation and thought. It stirs minds, and touches hearts. It brings us into contact with our souls. So how can it possibly be a waste of time, an idle act, a mistake, a betrayal of truth? Who can possibly tell us not to do it?"